America on the Cutting Edge

The Smithsonian American Art Museum has awarded its second annual Lucelia Artist Award to Liz Larner, whose artwork ranges from examinations of decay in petri dishes to sculpture that transforms the viewer's perception of space. Established by the museum as a way of recognizing American artists, starting with Jorge Pardo last year, the award provides $25,000 intended to encourage the winner's development and experimentation. Larner lives in Los Angeles and will next show at a group exhibition at the San Jose Museum of Art this summer.